Cataclysm - The Shattering
I went through all the old zones pages and updated all of them with screenshots from the latest build of the beta (if you're wondering, that's a little more than 1400 screenshots). All these zones will be changed when Patch 4.0.3a is deployed on live servers, most likely next week or the week after. I also included links to Wowpedia for people who are looking for a few extra lore informations, etc ...

With the expansion getting closer, expect a lot of similar updates to Cataclysm articles in the next few days.

In patch 4.0.3, Wintergrasp queuing was changed so that each battle attempts to match the factions at a 1-to-1 ratio. This is the exact system being used for Tol Barad in Cataclysm. While we understand that this inflates queue times for factions which are vastly overpopulated on select realms, we prefer this system over using Tenacity. In addition, the new system at least encourages playing on a faction that's better balanced against the opposing faction. With the old Wintergrasp functionality, players were almost encouraged to be on an overpopulated faction, further contributing to realm balance issues.

That said, we'll review realms with significant faction imbalances on a case-by-case basis in the event we need to take further action.

Rated Battlegrounds FAQ
The Rated Battlegrounds FAQ has been updated to what seems to be a final version.

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker)

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is just around the corner -- and that means Rated Battlegrounds will soon be available. While Rated Battlegrounds will only be open to level-85 characters, we know many of you may still have some questions about this new system, so we’ve put together an FAQ to help address some of the more common inquiries we've seen.

Q. What are Rated Battlegrounds?A. Like the Arena system, Rated Battlegrounds are an alternative way for players to battle against opponents of similar skill levels and accrue rating to purchase powerful PvP gear. Instead of competing in a 2v2, 3v3, or 5v5 bracket, though, you'll be testing your mettle in familiar environments like Arathi Basin and Eye of the Storm, as well as all-new Battlegrounds set to release in Cataclysm.

Q. How are Rated Battlegrounds structured?A. Rated Battlegrounds are broken down into two brackets: 10v10 and 15v15. These brackets rotate weekly and can be viewed in-game via the calendar by activating the Battleground holiday filter.

Q. What Battlegrounds are eligible for Rated Battleground matches?A. Warsong Gulch, Arathi Basin, Eye of the Storm, Strand of the Ancients, Battle for Gilneas, and Twin Peaks.

Q. What happened to the 25v25 bracket?A. We decided to remove this bracket. We don't feel it's feasible to ask players to coordinate a group of 25 players for Rated Battlegrounds. If any player happens to drop group just before a match begins, the raid group would not be able to enter the battle. We anticipate most players or guilds will stick with fairly dedicated 10-player groups, and making the jump to 15-player groups shouldn't be too difficult.

Q. How can I queue for a Rated Battleground?A. Before entering the queue, you must first create a raid with the full number of players required for the weekly bracket (10 or 15). Any level-85 player on your realm and of your faction may participate in the battle regardless of guild association.

Once you have a raid of the appropriate size, simply open up the PvP window, click on the Conquest tab, highlight "Rated Battleground," and then click "Join Battle."

Q. Can I queue up solo and just be matched with a Rated Battleground team?A. No. You will need to first join a raid of the appropriate size and level before you can queue up for a Rated Battleground. Individual queuing will not be available for Rated Battlegrounds.

Q. Do all players in the raid group have to be from the same guild in order to queue for a Rated Battleground?A. No. So long as the raid group size matches the weekly bracket and is comprised of level-85 players, you can queue up for a Rated Battleground no matter what guild you are in. Guild membership has no effect on the formation of Battleground teams.

Winning a Rated Battleground with a team composed of at least 80% guild members, however, will result in the additional benefit of guild experience gain for that guild.

Q. How can I tell if my Rated Battleground team meets the minimum guild requirement?A. If you join a Rated Battleground with the minimum number of required guild members, a special guild banner will appear in the upper-left corner of the in-game mini-map. This will let you know if you are eligible for the bonus guild experience.

Q. What are the normal benefits of winning a Rated Battleground?A. When you win a Rated Battleground, you will be rewarded Conquest points, up to your weekly cap. Weekly caps are individual for each player and are based on your highest single PvP rating from the previous week (the cap resets on Tuesdays). This rating can be derived from your 2v2, 3v3, or 5v5 Arena rating or your Rated Battleground rating.

Q. What Rated Battleground rating do players start out with?A. Players start at zero Rated Battleground rating and progress upward from there. If you lose a battle, your Rated Battleground rating will only be reduced if that rating is currently higher than your Match Making Value (MMV). For the most part, a rating only goes up.

Q. What’s MMV?A. Match Making Value (or MMV for short) is our best measure of an individual player's skill. MMV is the skill rating per format (2v2, 3v3, 5v5, Battleground) and per character that is used for matchmaking. It exists to help the matchmaking system create great matches as quickly as possible for all players. It's generally not a rating we show, with the exception of an average MMV for Arena teams.

Q. Will my MMV go down in the event of a Rated Battleground loss?A. Yes; however, unlike Arenas, all players in a Rated Battleground team will win or lose the same amount of Rated Battleground rating per match depending on its outcome.

Q. Does MMV for Rated Battlegrounds function the same as it does in Arenas (i.e. does it go up more when you beat a higher-rated team, and go down more when you lose to a lower-rated team)?A. Yes. Your MMV will go up faster if you defeat a Rated Battleground team with a higher average MMV.

Q. What’s the plan to prevent your Rated Battleground rating from skyrocketing at high win ratios? If your rating only goes down when it is above your MMV, it seems that ratings will just be high on average (compared to Arena).A. If your Rated Battleground rating gets inflated much beyond your MMV, you’ll only receive a minimal amount of points when you win. Similarly, you’ll lose many more points after a defeat, until your Rated Battleground rating gets back in line with your MMV. This will prevent inflation.

Q. Can consumables and engineering items be used in Rated Battlegrounds?
A.Yes, but they will follow the same rules and restrictions as Arenas.

Q. Will Rated Battleground teams only be matched against other teams in their Battlegroup?A. No. Rated Battlegrounds will be region-wide, meaning that when you queue for a Rated Battleground, you will have the opportunity to be matched against a team from any of our North American World of Warcraft realms.

Q. Are there any plans to reward players with the highest Rated Battleground rating, similar to Arenas?A. Epic ground mounts will be rewarded at the end of each season to the top 0.5% of players according to Rated Battleground rating. Titles are also available as you gain rating in the system. The titles are rewarded directly from achievements earned from gaining the required rating.

The only reason you see lower involvement in WG now is that there is no compelling reason to do it vs. just another BG. When Tol'Barad offers a shot at an instance with loot that matters like VoA used to do + bonuses while leveling and gearing for 85, there will be much more q-ing on both sides.

implementation 1:1 ratio in patch 3.1 will be good idea, but now ... after tol'barad, no alliance will queue wintergrasp (now they are 5), so wintergrasp will be closed zone for 30 minutes. My only opinion is - let the pvp zone free without limits. Give them 50 stacks of tenacity, but don't apply any restrictions for 1:1 ... there is no reason for doing this. Especially because some realms are really unbalanced and players could have problems enjoying the new content

Absolutely loving this WG change, finally nice to be on a level playing field. I can somewhat understand that people are mad that they can't queue now, but IMO that's a small price to pay, a few people being a bit mad is better than a whole faction side feeling mad every time they play it.

Also, props to Blizz for implementing it. I know a lot of people (and honestly, myself included) felt it wouldn't be changed as they'd lose money from faction transfers. But it's good to know they actually do care about this stuff.

And you care because? People will have the same things as you? Now, that might make it "less epic" for you but for someone else it might be "super epic". Plus it goes to the top 0.5% of players. That is an insanely small amount compared to the entire Community. What's the problem with giving a larger portion of players access to gain something? Plus, why are you still ranting, I thought you quit?

I am beta testing cataclysm and even if I never touched the game again it doesn't make my words irrelevant. I care because mounts and titles are no longer a reward when you have 100 titles and 200 mounts. It's another shirt folded up in the drawer

I am beta testing cataclysm and even if I never touched the game again it doesn't make my words irrelevant. I care because mounts and titles are no longer a reward when you have 100 titles and 200 mounts. It's another shirt folded up in the drawer

Your words are never relevant. All they are, are negative, rose tinted, resentful words. Good job, you were good at a game. You have world/server firsts. If I wanted the prestige of having those, I could. But, spending time with my wife and beautiful daughter is way more impressive than sitting behind a computer 6 days a week, raiding for 6 hours a night. As the game expands and new people are brought, why not let them have fun? Must you step on everyone and everything that has come after you? I raided MC, AQ40, BWL. Looking back at it, you can have it. To you it might be small, but to others, who find enjoyment, they are great things. You are in no position to push your opinion on people. Looks like you need tangible rewards to feel accomplished. I don't know, just making an assumption.

Your words are never relevant. All they are, are negative, rose tinted, resentful words. Good job, you were good at a game. You have world/server firsts. If I wanted the prestige of having those, I could. But, spending time with my wife and beautiful daughter is way more impressive than sitting behind a computer 6 days a week, raiding for 6 hours a night. As the game expands and new people are brought, why not let them have fun? Must you step on everyone and everything that has come after you? I raided MC, AQ40, BWL. Looking back at it, you can have it. To you it might be small, but to others, who find enjoyment, they are great things. You are in no position to push your opinion on people. Looks like you need tangible rewards to feel accomplished. I don't know, just making an assumption.

TL;DR:
Stop bringing your terrible terrible attitude to these forums.

Right, if you wanted world firsts you would have gotten them "if you wanted" as if the only thing stopping you is dedicating yourself.

If I wanted to be a billionaire too I could be. It's funny how the have nots think the only thing different between them and the haves is the item in question, not the drive, not the skill, not the talent that got them there.

Right, if you wanted world firsts you would have gotten them "if you wanted" as if the only thing stopping you is dedicating yourself.

If I wanted to be a billionaire too I could be. It's funny how the have nots think the only thing different between them and the haves is the item in question, not the drive, not the skill, not the talent that got them there.

I would rather be a have not, than a has been. Seriously. Get off it.

Also, world firsts do not appeal to me. Read again.

sitting behind a computer 6 days a week, raiding for 6 hours a night...

Sorry, I have a life outside of WoW. I have work, a family and other real life obligations and hobbies. My real life achievements are, by far, more impressive than anything you have ever accomplished on a video game.

Also, world firsts do not appeal to me. Read again. Sorry, I have a life outside of WoW. I have work, a family and other real life obligations and hobbies. My real life achievements are, by far, more impressive than anything you have ever accomplished on a video game.

Why are you boasting about your real life on a video game forum during a discussion about a video game? Pick a subject and stay on it, notice I talk about the game and don't attempt to smother you with what I do in real life? It's irrelevant and you can assume me into an inferior lifestyle because that makes you more comfortable about the fact that you've done less in the game if that's your prerogative.

Point being, you don't get to be a low end player saying high end is easy or simple or something anyone can do when you've never done it. You're a spectator and until you're on the top you've got no perspective on the matter. You're simply talking about pipe dreams

Why are you boasting about your real life on a video game forum during a discussion about a video game? Pick a subject and stay on it, notice I talk about the game and don't attempt to smother you with what I do in real life? It's irrelevant and you can assume me into an inferior lifestyle because that makes you more comfortable about the fact that you've done less in the game if that's your prerogative.

Point being, you don't get to be a low end player saying high end is easy or simple or something anyone can do when you've never done it. You're a spectator and until you're on the top you've got no perspective on the matter. You're simply talking about pipe dreams

Y'know, I had this long rant typed out. But, you really aren't worth it. Good job, you are a god among wow players. We all get it.

Yea on our server horde was dominate on WG, but sometimes att 3am allys managed to take it. But the problem with 1-1 ratio is that now that alliance has taken it we cant take it back. With about 7v7 or 10v10 battle we dont have the time to take it back... WG battle is dead.

Btw cant just one side take it and then encourage ppl not to join so they can keep it indefintly?